The Uttarakhand cabinet has approved the Minority Educational Institutions Bill, 2025, a landmark move described as the first of its kind in the nation. The legislation, scheduled for introduction in the legislative session beginning August 19, extends minority status benefits to educational institutions run by Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, and Parsi communities—categories previously not covered under state law, which recognized only Muslim institutions.
With the bill’s enactment, the Uttarakhand Madrassa Education Board Act, 2016, and the Non-Governmental Arabic and Persian Madrassa Recognition Rules, 2019, will be repealed, effective July 1, 2026. The new law provides for the creation of the Uttarakhand State Minority Education Authority (USMEA), which will grant mandatory recognition, ensure institutional autonomy, and require registration under the Society, Trust, or Company Acts. The USMEA will oversee educational quality and assessments in alignment with Uttarakhand School Education Board standards.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated, “This legislation represents a historic milestone in the state’s educational landscape. Our government has continuously prioritized the constitutional rights of minority communities and sought to provide equal educational opportunities. The bill aims to boost transparency, raise standards, and promote inclusive growth through education.”
The bill is expected to deliver quality education while fostering social harmony, benefiting not just Muslims, but also the Sikh, Jain, Christian, Buddhist, and Parsi communities.
